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Un copetín

Un copetín is a Tango written by Juan Maglio and recorded by Ángel d’Agostino in 1941. The Tango Un copetín is written by Juan Maglio, Ángel d’Agostino has recorded Un copetín with the singer Ángel Vargas.
“Un Copetín” translates to “A Little Drink” in English. This evocative title suggests a brief yet potent moment, like the clinking of glasses under dim lights, where stories are whispered, and laughter flows as freely as the wine. It captures the essence of a fleeting gathering, filled with warmth, camaraderie, and the promise of cherished memories.

Tango

Style

Ángel d'Agostino

Orchestra

Ángel Vargas

Singer

José Fernández

Author

Juan Maglio

Composer

1941/7/24

Date

Ángel Vargas
Ángel Vargas
Ángel d'Agostino
Ángel d’Agostino

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Un copetín recorded by other Orchestras

Un copetín recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Un copetín

This is the translation of the Tango “Un copetín” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Un copetín” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Un copetín

Un copetín, para brindar
Por la mujer que más amé,
Por la que tanto he soñado
Brindaré por ella.
Todo pasó, todo se fue
Hoy sólo son sombras de ayer,
Ya no tengo más remedio
Que otro copetín beber.

¿Dónde andará la Vasca?
Que fue la paica
Más derecha que he tenido.
Porque siguió sin aflojar
Mi juventud que fue su amor.
El recordar me apena,
Que ya los tiempos
No son más aquellos de antes.
Por eso es que me emborracho,
A ver, ¡Che mozo!
Traiga otro copetín.

English lyrics of the Tango "Un copetín"

A little drink, to toast
To the woman I loved most,
To the one I’ve dreamt of so much,
I will toast to her.
Everything is gone, everything has passed,
Today, they are but shadows of yesterday,
I have no other choice but to drink
Another little drink.

Where could the Basque be?
She was the fairest
I have ever had.
Because she continued without giving up
My youth, which was her love.
Remembering pains me,
For the times
Are no longer those of the past.
That’s why I get drunk,
Come on, hey waiter!
Bring another little drink.

Un copetín by José Fernández

Un copetín is a Tango written by José Fernández and composed by Juan Maglio.

Story behind the Tango Un copetín

“Un copetín” narrates a tale of remembrance and longing through the act of drinking “un copetín,” a slang term for a small drink, typically alcoholic. The lyrics reflect the story of a man reminiscing about a past love, specifically referencing a woman he deeply loved and dreamt of, whom he identifies with fond yet sorrowful nostalgia. The repeated mentions of “un copetín” suggest an attempt to drown his sorrows or to toast to memories of a love that has since faded into the shadows of the past. This sentiment is encapsulated in the verse where past happiness is contrasted with present loss, emphasizing the transformative power of time on personal relationships and inner emotions.

Symbolism of Un copetín

In the tango “Un copetín,” the drink serves as a poignant symbol of solace and escape from the sorrow of lost love. José Fernández uses this symbol to delve into themes of nostalgia, melancholy, and the pain of irretrievable times. The act of drinking “otro copetín” is not just indulgence but a ritual of remembrance, a salute to what once was. There’s also a subtle reflection on the relentlessness of time—illustrated through phrases like “Todo pasó, todo se fue” (Everything passed, everything went away)—and a stark resignation to the inevitability of change.

Un copetín in historic Context

“Un copetín” was created in 1941, during a period when Argentina was deeply influenced by the global upheavals of World War II though not directly involved. Tango itself was undergoing transformations, reflecting deeper, often darker social and personal themes. The mention of specific cultural terms like “Vasca” (indicating a Basque woman) and “paica” (possibly a play on ‘peca’, a term for a female partner in lunfardo) not only localizes the tango within Argentine cultural context but also suggests personal histories intertwined with broader social narratives. The reference to changed times possibly echoes the sense of displacement and cultural shifts felt during this era.

José Fernández

José Fernández was an Argentine lyricist known for his poignant and evocatively written tangos that often explored themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.